2026-2027
Graphic Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts
VCU
Community college:
AFA in Visual Arts (apply after year one) (Virginia Community College System)
Associate degree
Certificate of Fine Arts or Associate of Fine Arts in Visual Arts
To avoid excess credits at graduation from VCU, complete course recommendations listed below and apply in first year at community college. The community college ART classes listed under course recommendations will fulfil requirements for the Art Foundation program (the first year of all visual art majors) at VCU.
Program description
Graphic design is a creative and analytical process that integrates art and technology to communicate ideas and information. The goal of the Department of Graphic Design at VCU is to educate students to become innovators and leaders in three related areas of professional practice: print design, sequential design and interaction design.
Career opportunities
Graphic Designer, Web Designer/Developer, Art Director, Exhibit Designer, User Interface Designer
Bachelor-level job titles
- Brand Strategist
- Communication Strategist
- Digital Content Creator
- Exhibit Designer
- Graphic Designer
- Marketing Communicator
- Motion Graphics Designer
- Packaging Design
- Print Designer
- User Interface Design
- Visual Designer
- Web Designer
Graduate and professional level job titles
- Art Director
- Communications Director
- Marketing Manager
- Producer
Contact information
Telephone: (804) 827-1349
Email: transferinfo@vcu.edu
VCCS Transfer Planning Checklist
Telephone: (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638
Email: ugrad@vcu.edu
Apply Here.
Guaranteed transfer admission requirements
- No guaranteed admission.
- Apply for admission during first year at community college.
- Review deadlines and portfolio requirements for transfer applicants here.
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
- Quantitative Foundations requirement only
Science required
- Natural Sciences requirement only
Foreign language requirements
- No
Additional tuition/fees
- Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
- 2.5+ cumulative GPA to declare
VCU Major Maps
Transfer major map
2026-2027
Graphic Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts
Virginia Community College System (AFA in Visual Arts (apply after year one))
| MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING | EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY | EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS | PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explore | Year 1 |
|
|
|
|
| Experience | Year 2 |
|
|
|
|
Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Schedule an appointment with your community college advisor to map out your course plan.
- Enroll in the SDV student success course.
- Prepare a portfolio as part of your application to VCU.
- Complete your math and english requirements.
- Explore community college financial aid resources and submit your FAFSA on time.
- Submit a transfer advising request to the VCU Transfer Center.
EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY
- Explore the School of the Arts website.
- Review application deadlines and portfolio requirements for visual arts applicants.
- Get involved with student clubs and organizations at your community college.
- Volunteer for community service projects.
- Research housing options for next year.
- Schedule a one-on-one meeting with a VCUarts representative virtually or attend a National Portfolio Day for individualized feedback on your portfolio.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Create LinkedIn profile.
- Complete career assessments through the Virginia Education Wizard.
- Browse information about occupations and job titles associated with graphic design.
- Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
- Find out about VCU REAL and learn about VCU's REAL graduation requirement.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
- Explore the types of aid available at VCU.
- Create a weekly and monthly budget.
- Prepare for a career after college by creating a brand for yourself.
Experience
Recommended courses
2026-2027
Graphic Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts
Virginia Community College System (AFA in Visual Arts (apply after year one))
| Course | Title | Equivalent course | Credits | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDV 100 | College Success Skills | UNIV 101 | 1 | Elective |
| ENG 111 | College Composition I | UNIV 111 | 3 | General education |
| ENG 112 | College Composition II | UNIV 200 | 3 | General education |
| MTH 154 | Quantitative Reasoning (or any other approved MTH course) | MATH 131 | 3 | General education |
| ART 101 | History of Art: Prehistoric to Gothic (this course fulfills a requirement for the Art Foundation program at VCU) | ARTH 103 | 3 | Major (Art Foundation) |
| ART 102 | History of Art: Renaissance to Modern (this course fulfills a requirement for the Art Foundation program at VCU) | ARTH 104 | 3 | Major (Art Foundation) |
| ART 121 | Foundations of Drawing (depending on your portfolio and admission to VCU Arts, this courses will either transfer as an ARTS 1XX elective or as ARTF 131). | ARTF 131 | 3 | Major (Art Foundation) |
| ART 131 | Two-Dimensional Design (depending on your portfolio and admission to VCU Arts, this courses will either transfer as an ARTS 1XX elective or as ARTF 132). | ARTF 132 | 3 | Major (Art Foundation) |
| ART 132 | 3D Design (depending on your portfolio and admission to VCU Arts, this course will either transfer as an ARTS 1XX elective or as ARTF 133). | ARTF 133 | 3 | Major (Art Foundation) |
| ART 130 or ART 133 | Introduction to Multimedia or Time Studio (depending on your portfolio and admission to VCU Arts, these courses will either transfer as an ARTS 1XX elective or as ARTF 134) | ARTF 134 | 3 | Major (Art Foundation) |
| Select one of the following: ART 140, ART 141, ART 153, ART 160, ART 180, PHT 101, PHT 102, or PHT 164. | ARTF 138/139 | 3 | Major (Art Foundation) | |
| Community college credits transferred to VCU | 31 | |||
| Course | Title | Credits | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete 21 credits (7 classes) of general education requirements (see VCU advisor for course options) | 21 | General education | |
| GDES 220 | Design Practices | 4 | Major |
| GDES 221 | Core Studio I | 4 | Major |
| GDES 222 | Core Studio II | 4 | Major |
| GDES 231 | Theory Inquiry | 3 | Major |
| GDES 321 | Core Studio III | 4 | Major |
| GDES 322 | Core Studio IV | 4 | Major |
| GDES 331 | Precedents Inquiry | 3 | Major |
| GDES 380 | Multi Studio I (taken twice) | 8 | Major |
| GDES 398 | Dialogues (taken six semesters) | 6 | Major |
| GDES 431 | Critical Inquiry | 4 | Major |
| GDES 440 | Synthesis | 6 | Major |
| GDES 480 | Multi Studio II | 2 | Major |
| GDES electives (300 to 500 level) | 8 | Major (Ancillary) | |
| Open electives | 10 | Elective | |
| Credits completed at VCU | 91 | ||
| Minimum credits required for bachelor's degree | 122 | ||